2024 is undoubtedly one of the best years of my life, rivaled only by 2018, when I moved to Bali to work for the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. But when I say “the best year,” I don’t mean everything went smoothly. Life, just like seasons, needs variety to stay exciting and momentous.
Healing and Prioritizing Myself
2023 left me shaken in more ways than one. I was hospitalized during Ramadan, feeling physically fragile, but the true blow came during the Idulfitri holiday. There I was, on a train passing through a city, heading home to my family, when someone I loved decided it was the perfect moment to break my heart. That “smart” guy didn’t just ruin my trip—he turned it into a ride through emotional chaos.
In 2024, I knew I had to pick up the pieces. My one goal? To maintain my sanity and well-being. I embraced solitude, stepping back from dating and focusing on myself. My days felt like a pandemic rewind—home, office, and mosques became my sanctuary.
This focus led me to a deeper spiritual journey. Inspired by 14 Hari Menulis Jurnal held by Wellbeing Journey, I committed to Quran recitation, taraweeh, and i’tikaf. After Idulfitri, this grew into a weekly habit of attending Islamic lectures, sometimes up to three sessions a week. The more I shifted my focus to the Hereafter, the more contentment I found.
The Gratitude Effect
Alongside my spiritual growth, I began practicing gratitude using a Gratitude app. My goal of hitting 100 Days of Gratitude brought unexpected blessings into my life, including opportunities I hadn’t dared to dream of before.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures
This year, I experienced the extraordinary gift of traveling abroad for free—not once, but twice!
- Bangkok: For the Changemakerxchange Homecoming Gathering.
- The Philippines: My very first trip to this country. I skipped Manila and headed straight to Danao City, Cebu, where I stayed in a beachside resort for a workshop with Clean Mobility Collective Southeast Asia. Every evening, we dined to the soothing sound of ocean waves and the scent of salty air. It felt like a love letter from the universe, reminding me of my life in Sanur, Bali.
Balancing Work and Passion
2024 was also the year I found a rhythm between my professional responsibilities and passion projects. While fully committed to my job, extracurricular activities like teaching as a freelance trainer for JobHun and Remote Skills Academy allowed me to grow creatively and expand my network.
This balance became especially important as I grappled with my PhD plans. After meaningful discussions with my career coach, I chose to pause and prepare myself better. In letting go of that chase, I found more opportunities and clarity.
Creating and Sharing Stories
Perhaps one of the most fulfilling accomplishments this year was writing and publishing a mini book about my journey as a single woman, titled "Unstoppable". Released as a free e-book on my birthday, it marked a personal milestone—proof that I can turn my stories into something impactful to share with others.
Grateful for 2024, Ready for 2025
An Instagram post once said, “Maybe you don't notice your progress because you are always raising the bar.” That resonates deeply as I reflect on this year: returning to Allah’s way, traveling for free, and embracing unshakable confidence to choose myself.
As I welcome 2025, I do so with open arms and faith that surrendering leads to better things.
Dear 2025, I hope you’re kind to me.
